dogthefrog

If most of the M team plays up to its potential, the real test for Michigan's success depends on these two players: Donavan Warren and Tate Forcier.

Warren has the potential to be an All-American. No one can expect Woodson-type of play from anyone but Charles Woodson, but if Warren is healthy this year we have to hope he can anchor the secondary and the defense will rally behind his leadership and become a great unit.

We can't expect too much from a freshman quarterback, but if Forcier can show leadership and poise and just perform the basics well without too many mistakes, the offense will have a chance to grow, develop and gel and be much more effective than last year with the experience returning at all other positions. (If Forcier isn't up to the task yet, at least there's Denard Robinson ready to take over, and Sheridan's experience guarantees he will at least play with fewer mistakes than last year.)

Anyway, so much depends on a strong leader on defense and a quarterback who can get the most out of the experience at all other offensive positions. If these two factors happen, Michigan should win at least 7 games, play well in the other games and maybe win as many as 9 games. If we get some very pleasant surprises, 10 wins is not inconceivable.

I'm not sold on Ferentz being the next M coach, but, trying to be objective, one thing that Ferentz's teams seem to do well is playing defense. Unfortunately, they often play lackluster offense, too. Sometimes that may be attributed to injuries, which seem to hit the Hawkeyes hard for some reason.

Remember the 2000 season when M lost to Northwestern, 54-51? The next week Iowa beat Northwestern 19-7. So, it seems Ferentz's teams can handle the spread offense fairly well, which may be an improvement in one facet for Michigan's program if they should hire Ferentz. The big question is, will Ferentz teams at Michigan play improved offense, and will he recruit better in Ann Arbor than he has at Iowa City?

Again, I'm not sure he's a good choice for Michigan, but he may be better than we realize.

In 2002, Ohio State played an ineligible player, won the Big Ten and a national title. The player was one of the key reasons they won the national title. Now that player is out of football. Ohio State never had to face a sanction of any kind.

Michigan plays an ineligible player at a minor position with no affect on the outcome of the game won, and they face a possible forfeiture of a key game?

Despite our frustrations with his coaching, we have to remember that he has done many things well, he is, basically, a great leader of men and, all things considered, a good coach. It may be true that he will not get Michigan to that highest level we all wish for, so maybe it is time for him to consider stepping down.

But, he is the Michigan coach at least for this season, and the best thing we can hope for, the best thing we should cheer for with all our might, is that Michigan still pulls out a good season, maybe a Rose Bowl season, and when Lloyd goes, whether it be after this year or later, we can all feel good about him, and he can feel good about his departure from Michigan.

Lloyd has done much for Michigan, he's tried his best. Any true Blue fan must recognize him as a brother.

It seems established that the end of Lloyd's days as head coach is in sight. It could be after this season, or within a year or so after that.

Despite our frustrations with his coaching, we have to remember that he has done many things well, he is, basically, a great leader of men and, all things considered, a good coach. It may be true that he will not get Michigan to that highest level we all wish for, so maybe it is time for him to consider stepping down.

But, he is the Michigan coach at least for this season, and the best thing we can hope for, the best thing we should cheer for with all our might, is that Michigan still pulls out a good season, maybe a Rose Bowl season, and when Lloyd goes, whether it be after this year or later, we can all feel good about him, and he can feel good about his departure from Michigan.

Lloyd has done much for Michigan, he's tried his best. Any true Blue fan must recognize him as a brother.